Imran Potato and Vault by Vans Link Up For a Playful 6-Shoe Collection
Imran Potato is a master of memeage and a designer with a keen eye for powerful logos. In the past, he's both gone viral for his hilarious and garnered celebrity fans from to Bad Bunny and for his super-sized all-over logo print pieces. Now, the tater-titled creative is channelling his wide-ranging creative focus into his first-ever official footwear collaboration – linking with for a six-pack of playful takes on two different styles.
Potato has opted to remix one familiar sneaker and one more under-the-radar silhouette, namely the and the KNU SKOOL, the former of which needs no introduction and the latter of which is a 'modernized' take on the that debuted back in 1998 and since then has only been released through Vans Japan.
The Imran Potato x Vault by Vans KNU SKOOL takes the late 1990s skate sneaker and further inflates its already sizable proportions, with an overstuffed tongue, gigantic Jazz Stripe and jumbo laces. It's also part of Vans' VR3 line, an initiative that represents the brand's commitment to using 100 per cent regenerative, recycled and responsibly sourced renewable materials for its top four textiles by 2030. Two leopard-printed makeups and one black/white pair were created.
On the other hand, the Sk8-Hi retains its slim cut, familiar design lines and famous checkerboard, blue and black/white colourways but adds (intentionally) poorly-drawn hand graphics on its quarter panels and tongues. According to Potato, this concept is an evolution of the above-mentioned 'Caveman Slippers.' Both silhouettes are completed by custom-printed waffle outsoles that feature a foot graphic.
Expect the Imran Potato x Vault by Vans collection to release via Imran Potato's webstore on May 18, then hit the Vans webstore and Vault by Vans stockists May 21.